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Not So Mellow Yellow

by habituallychic

03 . 16 . 08

I hate trends and I never follow them but I’ve made an exception for yellow. It all started innocently enough too. First, I just needed to have some head shots taken which the talented Porter Hovey agreed to take. Woo hoo! Then I needed some scouting photos of my apartment to send to a few publications. I’m a little superstitious so I can’t give any details away yet but needless to say, my week was filled with a million decorating projects (and cleaning!) one of which entailed painting my television armoire Benjamin Moore French Quarter Gold and adding matching knobs from Anthropologie. I also switched out my winter wool pillows with spring/summer silk in complementary colors and made an early morning visit to the flower district for yellow flowers. More on that later. I am so exhausted I could keel over but I am delighted with how it all turned out. My apartment is all set for spring now too. Here are some other options to welcome a little yellow into your life and home.

I wanted to include my beautiful new yellow blouse from 3.1 Phillip Lim that I bought at Bergdorf’s but it’s already sold out in the store and I can’t find it online anywhere so another fun option is the J. Crew Summerweight Chino Jacket. You can dress it up or down but I think it would look great with a pair of jeans and flats.
We’re not quite into the April showers yet but you could plan ahead by buying a pair of yellow Hunter Wellington boots. Hunter has been in business since 1817 and is the original maker of Wellies, named after the Duke of Wellington. If they can withstand the wet British countryside, then they can certainly withstand slick city streets. They are even endorsed by The Queen! And if they are good enough for her, then they are certainly good enough for you and me.

My signature perfume is Narciso Rodriguez but in the spring and summer I love wearing Mimosa by Calypso perfume. It’s the most perfect floral scent that is a “blend of Mimosa, Rose and Jasmine with a splash of green leaves.” It seems clean and fresh and not too sweet or cloying. It also comes in the form of a candle so your home can smell like spring too!

An inexpensive way to bring a little yellow into your life is through flowers. I bought some mini daffodils this week that are just the cutest darn things I’ve ever seen. They make me smile every time I look at them. And for a minute, I forget that my window looks out to the fire escape!

And if all else fails, you can pick up one of the many April magazines with varying shades of yellow on their covers to brighten up your life. House Beautiful and Elle Decor are a little on the chartreuse side but British House & Garden and Martha Stewart Living have perfect yellow covers. And even Pottery Barn got in on the act. Yellow may be a trend but at least it’s one that will cheer you up while you wait for warmer weather!

35 Comments
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  1. maison21 March 16, 2008 | 11:28 pm

    love the yellow- great update on the tv cabinet!

    yellow is my favorite color, i think. yet i hardly ever use it in decorating, and have absolutely zero in my own home. maybe i’ll have to go get some yellow tulips to cheer the place up!

    good job, chic, and good luck!

  2. beachgrl March 16, 2008 | 11:48 pm

    I always loved yellow. In my first apartment I had a yellow kitchen and in my first home we painted the kitchen yellow. That was years ago (30). A couple of months ago my honey painted the living room yellow for me. Now my once dark room is a sunny yellow, even with no direct sunlight. Now I have to spring it up with accessories.

  3. Jessica March 17, 2008 | 12:14 am

    Fabulous! I just love fresh flowers, they really do add some punch!

  4. michelle {lovely.little.things} March 17, 2008 | 3:22 am

    Loving the yellow dresser, wellies, daffodils…if only yellow looked good on me (sigh)…

  5. Suzy March 17, 2008 | 5:26 am

    I love Christian Celle’s perfumes, I wear Green Tea in Spring/Summer. Love it!

  6. Anna Spiro March 17, 2008 | 10:40 am

    Your room looks so gorgeous HC! Love it! Yellow IS such a cheery happy colour!
    X
    Anna

  7. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 12:33 pm

    Maison21, It was funny how I went from very little to a lot of yellow in a week’s time. Lol. I think some yellow tulips would look great against the blue walls in your home too. Go for it!

  8. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 12:35 pm

    Beachgrl, that was so nice of him! I’m so glad you are enjoying yellow as much as I am now!

  9. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 12:36 pm

    Jessica, I am loving the flowers but not the flying insects that came with them. Lol.

  10. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 12:36 pm

    Michelle, you’ll just have to pick up a magazine and some flowers instead of a yellow blouse!

  11. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 12:37 pm

    Suzy, I’ll have to check that one out next time I’m at the store. I think it’s also great that in the age of ridiculous prices their perfumes are so reasonably priced!

  12. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 12:38 pm

    Anna, Thank you so much! You have no idea how much that means to me coming from you!!!

  13. House & Life March 17, 2008 | 12:55 pm

    I’ve got yellow on the brain too, I love that French Quarter gold. That is making the list for my front door choices on the new house! How lucky are you to have Porter take your lovely headshots!!

  14. Be the change..... March 17, 2008 | 1:06 pm

    yellow is my favorite accent color 🙂 I have those same turquoise little herb pots from pottery barn -i love them and get so many compliments on them!

  15. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 1:25 pm

    House & Life, I love French Quarter Gold! It’s the most perfect shade of yellow. If you decide to use it for your front door, you must share photos!

  16. karina March 17, 2008 | 1:25 pm

    me gusta el amarillo!
    I`v always loved yellow, it makes me happy, lift my mood.
    I`d love to see more pics of your apartmen.

  17. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 1:26 pm

    Be the Change, too funny, I’ve had those pots forever and never used them before. I now wish I had also bought them in yellow!

  18. Habitually Chic March 17, 2008 | 1:27 pm

    Karina, Yellow is definitely a happy color! I’m so glad I redecorated for spring. It’s so cheerful. I have to wait until I certain magazine looks at my apt before I can post any more photos. Keep your fingers crossed!

  19. CB March 17, 2008 | 2:15 pm

    Ms Chic,

    LOVE the yellow and your foo dogs are fabulous! (I would love to have a pair, but my husband keeps me from doing a total “Mame”. That said, he did present me with the hippo dish that was deemed a “flop” by the Times for our anniversary. I don’t care what people say — it is insanely excellent.)

    Totally agree re: fresh flowers — they just brighten everything up. And your dafs are a sure reminder that Spring really is just around the corner! (I am still in warm clothes, though.)

    Good luck with the photos… I’ll be sending out the good vibes and can’t wait to see more of your place. 🙂

  20. Susan March 17, 2008 | 4:00 pm

    Since moving into a small home in the historic district of my town last year – I change the display in my front window for every season and/or holiday – and Yellow is upfront and LOUD in my current Easter/Spring display.

    I LOVE color and am not afraid of it within my home – last summer I painted my living/dining room a spicy pumpkin color – I had people stopping by and asking about it – they could see the orange glow at night!!

    Outtasight

  21. porter March 17, 2008 | 4:10 pm

    HC!

    It was my pleasure to take pictures of such a great subject!Thank so much for being such a wonderful hostess. I’m still dreaming to the quiche.

  22. House & Life March 17, 2008 | 4:33 pm

    I’ll be sure to send photos, but I’ll only paint it that color with your blessing ( I hate to copy!!). Have a wonderful Easter!

  23. LondonCalling March 17, 2008 | 6:17 pm

    Smashing yellow on the TV cabinet!
    Yellow is definately the happiest of colors.

  24. Leslie Rogers March 17, 2008 | 11:42 pm

    Hey cool! I can relate to this post as my hubby and I are redecorating our bedroom in yellow white and black. Yellow can brighten any day!

  25. Richie Designs March 18, 2008 | 2:50 am

    I have been mad for acid yellow for 2 years. I think it was after Jill Sanders did a whole show with pale gray and acid yellow.

    that wallpaper in the bathroom is insane it’s so good.

  26. paola March 18, 2008 | 2:27 pm

    Love the pillow on your couch, where’d you find it?

  27. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:24 pm

    Thanks CB! You’re too sweet! And if you ever decide to buy Foo Dogs you can find them for $20 a piece at Pearl River! Happy Spring!

  28. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:25 pm

    Susan, Orange is one of my favorite colors but I can’t use it in this apartment since the woodwork is honey colored. Makes me sad.

  29. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:25 pm

    Porter, You are the best! I still definitely owe you a dinner out! Thanks again!!!

  30. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:27 pm

    House & Life, you definitely have my blessing! I think you will love the color. It’s a sophisticated yellow that will look as great in winter as it does in spring.

  31. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:28 pm

    Richie Designs, Gray and yellow sounds like a fantastic combination!

  32. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:28 pm

    London Calling, Last spring, I never bothered to switch out my pillows and I’m so glad I painted and redecorated this time. It definitely has put me in a happy mood!

  33. Habitually Chic March 18, 2008 | 4:30 pm

    Paola, the big yellow and cream pillow as well as the striped ones are from Thomas Paul. I think I bought them two years ago. I didn’t pull them out last summer so now they look fresh and new again!

  34. MABELLE April 1, 2008 | 10:12 pm

    OOh- I want to see more of your apt! Do you have pics elsewhere on your blog? And btw, do you like how I’m SO FAR BEHIND on my blogging? Sorry for the explosion of comments- I’m currently playing catch-up 😉

  35. Scene Queen May 8, 2009 | 1:33 am

    I love yellow! It is such a bright and happy color and more should be used in everyday clothing and objects!!